Cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms. Cyclobenzaprine belongs to a class of drugs called muscle relaxants, which help by preventing muscle spasms without affecting overall muscle control and function.

This medication comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. The tablets are usually taken 3 times a day, and the capsules may be taken once a day. Use is recommended for only 2-3 weeks.

Common side effects of cyclobenzaprine include dry mouth, fatigue, and upset stomach.  

Cyclobenzaprine can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how cyclobenzaprine affects you. Do not drink alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine. Alcohol may intensify these side effects.

Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription medication used to relax muscles and relieve pain due to muscle spasms.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cyclobenzaprine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Amrix

• Fexmid

• Flexeril

• Tabradol

Common side effects of cyclobenzaprine include:

• dry mouth
• upset stomach
• dizziness or drowsiness
• fatigue/tiredness
• constipation
• nausea
• headache
• blurred vision
• nervousness or confusion

This is not a complete list of cyclobenzaprine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with cyclobenzaprine. See “Drug Precautions” section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as selegiline (Emsam) and phenelzine (Nardil)
• alcohol
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Donnatal) or other central nervous system depressants
• guanethidine (Ismelin)
• tramadol (Ultram)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft)
• serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline (Elavil) or clomipramine (Anafranil)
• anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin)
• meperidine (Demerol)

This is not a complete list of cyclobenzaprine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with cyclobenzaprine including:

• General: Cyclobenzaprine should be used with caution in certain patients.  Tell your doctor if you:
  • have a history of urinary retention
  • have a history of glaucoma or of high intraocular pressure (high pressure of the fluid in the eyes)
  • take anticholinergic medication such as atropine (Atroposil) and ipratropium (Atrovent)
• Impaired liver function: Cyclobenzaprine can increase liver tests and impair the liver’s function. Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease.
• Serotonin syndrome: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
  • confusion
  • agitation
  • hallucinations
  • high body temperature
  • fast heartbeat
  • tremors
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
  • swelling
  • itchy skin
  • hives
  • rash
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • hoarseness

Cyclobenzaprine can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how cyclobenzaprine affects you.  Do not drink alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

Do not take cyclobenzaprine if you:

• are allergic to cyclobenzaprine or any of the ingredients in its tablets or capsules
• have used monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as selegiline (Emsam) and phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days
• have a history of heart problems such as a heart attack, arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat or rhythm), heart block, conduction disturbances, or heart failure
• have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of cyclobenzaprine, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving cyclobenzaprine.

Alcohol may intensify some of the side effects of this medication.

Before taking cyclobenzaprine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to cyclobenzaprine
• have used monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as selegiline (Emsam) and phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days
• have a history of heart problems such as a heart attack, arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), heart block, conduction disturbances, or heart failure
• have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• have a history of liver disease
• have glaucoma
• have trouble urinating
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Cyclobenzaprine falls into category B. Studies in animals have failed to demonstrate a risk to the unborn baby and there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if cyclobenzaprine is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Take cyclobenzaprine exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in tablets and extended-release capsules. The tablets are usually taken 3 times a day, and the capsules are usually taken once daily.

Take cyclobenzaprine around the same time each day.

Cyclobenzaprine is recommended for use for up to 3 weeks.

Do not drink alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of cyclobenzaprine at the same time.

Take cyclobenzaprine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage of cyclobenzaprine depending on the condition being treated and your response to the medication.  

The range of dosages for the tablets is 5 to 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine taken 3 times a day.

The capsules are taken either as a 15 or 30 mg capsule once a day or (two) 15 mg capsules once a day.

In elderly patients, cyclobenzaprine may be started at a lower dose and titrated slowly upward.

Cyclobenzaprine is not to be taken for more than 3 weeks.

If you take too much cyclobenzaprine, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store cyclobenzaprine at room temperature.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.